February 2009

120,000 workers march through Dublin - National strike now!

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On Saturday 120,000 workers marched through Dublin demanding the the public sector pay cut ('pension levy') be withdrawn, that jobs cuts be opposed and that all the other attacks on the working class be ended. Over the last couple of weeks there have been dozens of local union meetings of workers in the public sector demanding strike action to halt the cuts. The march was a chance not only to put pressure on the government but also to demand that our unions do the only thing that can halt the cuts, call a national strike.

The WSM met up to leaflet the march at 1.30 at the Parnell monument, and then joined the demonstration with a banner demanding a National Strike. Here we present reports, interviews with and photos from WSM members who took part on the demonstration and the leafletting as well as background articles on the nature of the crisis

Liberties Public Meeting: Capitalism is Failing Us Anarchism is Fighting Back

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Public Meeting
St. Catherines Community Centre, Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8
Thursday 5th March
7:30pm

Updates from ICTU March, 21st February 2009

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For those of you, like myself who can't make it along to the march today, I'll be posting updates from texters at the march as the day goes by.

Momentum Builds for National Strike

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From late morning yesterday (Sat. 21st February) it was clear that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ National Demonstration was going to be huge. It was also clear that those marching were from all over the country and from all types of employment – both public and private sector.

Belfast: Public Meeting - Anarchist Panther

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Venue: An Culturlann (Gallery room), 216 Falls Road, West Belfast
When: Tuesday 3rd March
Time: 7pm

Interviw from ICTU Feb 2009 march against job losses and pay cuts

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An interview with Dermot who was at the Feb 2009 ICTU demonstration pay cuts & job losses leafletting for the WSM. He talks about the atmosphere of the demonstration and what is to come.

ICTU march - No recovery on the back of the workers

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These are a selection from the many shots I took on a day when our class re-discovered a little something of its old combative spirit, and the numbers marching are more comfort to ordinary working folk than to those who would misinterpret this monster attendance as endorsement of their strategy of appeasement towards IBEC and the government. I saw David Begg walk up Parnell Sq. East towards the Garden of Remembrance a half-hour or more before the march started. He was alone and he looked downcast - surrounded by thousands of his fellow trade unionists, none of whom seemed to notice or even care about his presence among them. Nobody greeted him or was willing to share his company on this day of days. It couldn't have happened out of ignorance on the people's part, for Mr. Begg's face, voice and message assails us from all state and private media organs. It couldn’t have occurred from unfamiliarity either, for surely it couldn’t be true that our leaders generally disdain our company?

Free Education for Everyone (FEE) Fundraiser

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UCD FEE are organising a fundraiser gig this Saturday in Slattery's on Capel St.

Come one and all!

Belfast:Picket in support of sacked Subway worker

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Subway
6-8 Great Victoria Street,
Belfast
12.30 – 1.30 pm Friday 27th February 2009

Dublin: Grassworks Education Workers Meeting

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The 1st meeting of Grassroots Education Workers takes place in the Teachers Club, 35 Parnell square at 2pm

Belfast: Ashanti Alston live interview with Feile FM

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Monday 2nd March at 6.30pm

Former Black Panther to speak in Belfast

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Former Black Panther and Black Liberation Army member Ashanti Alston is to speak in the Culturlann next week as part of a speaking tour of Ireland.